Paddlers take to Bush Terminal Park as plans for community boathouse move forward

Staff

Paddlers take to Bush Terminal Park as plans for community boathouse move forward
Over 130 residents, including many families, enjoyed boating in the lagoon at Bush Terminal Park with help from volunteers.

Over 130 people took to the water at Bush Terminal Park this past weekend for an afternoon of free kayaking and boating.

The human-powered watercraft launched with help from the Gowanus Dredgers, Red Hook Boaters, New York Kayak Polo, NYC Water Trail Association, and other volunteer-led boating groups, who also took the opportunity to educate the community about boating safety.

"You want people to be prepared when they go out in the water," said Rob Buchanan of the NYC Water Trail Association. "It's important that they work with established community boathouses and get trained up."

The city has over 50 designated boat launching sites around the five boroughs and while Bush Terminal Park is not yet one of them, that could change with the proposed addition of a permanent community boathouse in the neighborhood.

The proposed boathouse would be located inside one of the MADE (Manufacturers, Artisans, Designers, Entrepreneurs) campus buildings at the Bush Terminal campus, overseen by the NYC Economic Development Corporation. If realized, the boathouse could open the door to year-round programming, weekend paddling, and classroom space for educational partnerships with groups like Brooklyn Boatworks, an organization that teaches children how to make and pilot small sailboats.

“We live in New York City and we’re surrounded by water but don’t really have many access points and ways for people to enjoy it, especially for free,” said Mike Sylves, a Sunset Park resident and volunteer with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse.

Favorable conditions helped attract the large turnout, with water quality at its highest levels due to the lack of recent rainfall. The city's Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) systems, which release waste into waterways during rainstorms, often negatively affect water quality.

The Community Water Quality Testing Program, initially organized by the New York Water Trail Association, found that the lagoon and north embayment at Bush Terminal Park had acceptable water quality for wading into the water, though still below NYC Department of Health swimming standards. Readers can find the latest water testing results here.

Danielle Butler, a volunteer with the Gowanus Dredgers Boat Club, an organization active for over 20 years, described the city's historical relationship with the water as complex, noting that New York City was founded and flourished because of its access to waterways, but industry-induced pollution distanced people from the water. She sees paddling events as a catalyst for change.

“When we get people paddling, and seeing that it is beautiful and full of life, then we can think about how our relationship with the water can be different,” Butler said.

The next kayaking event at Bush Terminal Park is scheduled for August 16th, from 2–6 PM during high tide. No prior kayaking experience is necessary. More information can be found at gowanusdredgers.org.